There are soooo many amazing-ly picture BEAUTIFUL sights in this part of Alberta, Canada... We have just left Lake Louise and headed for Calgary with stops along the way... Lake Moraine, The tourist town of Banff (we did see and enjoy "The Cave" mineral springs while there AND the mountain drive to see the city far below) but it was just toooo touristy and out of hand to stay. Then a drive around the Johnson Loop before setting the GPS for Ken and Maureen's for a couple of days exploring Calgary and visiting with good friends.
 We just had to revisit Lake Louise and make the hike up to Lake Agnes and the Lake Agnes Tea House... We did this hike with Bonnie and Doug about 33 years ago and it was a little tougher on the body now vs then, BUT, WE MADE IT !!! It is an amazing hike with the views of Lake Louise falling off as the climb increases until we reach the waterfalls of Lake Agnes tumbling down beside us. Reaching the top of the falls we still find the same bridge crossing over the falks and the Tea House waiting for us on the other side... This was and still is one of those "Special" places in our journeys.  There are a lot of fires out there in our forests now. Apparently, as we were leaving Alaska the flames were flying high. Now they're heavy in BC and even as close as 30 miles north of us here in Coeur d'Alene. This is going to be a tough dry year and our Firefighters and those living in the way of all the flames are going to need all of our prayers...
It's Sunday and what would you expect but these pictures ??? The both of these pictures are of Catholic churches and date back to the early 1900's with a few additions later. The 1'st is an old corrugated army building, the second from a log cabin joined on to an army mess hall. This is about half way between Whitehorse and the Alaska border.   On our way into the Yukon with a stop at the Jade shop and then across the border to Watson Lake and take in the "Signpost" gallery...amazing...but unfortunately we didn't plan ahead so that we could leave one. Maybe next time. Right now we're in Whitehorse and enjoying our second day here. Tomorrow we head up to Dawson City... We are TOTALLY hooked on the Yukon and are already planing a return trip but for a little later in the "season"  On our way to Alaska day 5... We can't believe the weather so far, sun, sun, sun AND more sun with our temps remaining in the mid 60's to low 70's daytime. First thing this morning we visited another First Nation community Gitanyow, to see their amazing totem poles. Again, their community center was closed (because the chief needed it for his office) but we could enjoy the totem grounds. A great photo op and aa wonderful experience for us. Next stop on our agenda was Stewart, BC and then across the border to Hyder, ALASKA... Just before entering Stewart we caught ourselves dazzled by the sights of Bear Glacier. Of particular interest and amazement was the "wave"like areas of the glacier. Crossing into ALASKA at Hyder was no more than driving through a "border-less" (American side) border, it's just when you cross back into Canada that you go through the border questions (although I doubt she has no more than 10-15 crossings a day). We really wanted to see Hyder even though we knew we were much too early for the bears to be in the area feeding in the river (it's almost a holiday atmosphere when the bears arrive to gorge on the salmon in July). Our destination was the Salmon Glacier some 23 miles out on a gravel road... Thank God this road bed is maintained by the mining companies so it wasn't a bad drive until we left the mines behind. Then we got into the high mountain areas with rock slides dropping onto the road, dead trees, and snow... about half way up we had to slip into low 4 wheel drive and push ourselves through the csnow and mud. Finally we got to a point were we could see the glacier down in the valley but we could go no further because of a larger rock slide that totally closed our route. Ok, time for lunch and head back to find a place fogr the night...Meziadin Lake Provincia  This is day 4 and "all is well...", fact is it has been an amazing journey. We left Lk. Louise and drove beside some of the most beautiful scenery of snow capped mountains and glaciers we had ever seen. It was breath taking... Years ago we had driven to Jasper and unfortunately it didn't leave any real desire to return but now, you've got to go...Jasper is very nice with some of the best people you can be around. At this point we decided to head west and make Prince George, BC before dinner. The last two nights we camped in Provincial (sp) parks and to night, the big WM... We've been averaging about 300 miles each day with 3 to 5 stops to enjoy the sights along the way. Today one of our stops took us to a First Nation Cedar House at the Ksan Village just outside of Hazelton, BC. The village was closed (Mothers Day) but we still enjoyed the outside exhibits. Tomorrow morning we start up the Cassiar Highway, due north... Oh yes, we are still seeing lots of wildlife.  Well this wasn't a planned trip but none the less, we're off To ALASKA... After having our trip to Spain spoiled by a bad case of the flu, we just got a little antsy and thought Alaska sounded real good. The truck and camper was pulled out of storage, loaded up and...the trip is on. As we crossed the Canadian border we were asked to "pull over to the side and come in"...Oookkkk... this poor young 5' tall lady went out and climbed all over the inside and exterior of that rig and found nothing. Our next stop was going to be Lake Louise but before getting there we found Fort Steele. Fort Steele was a 1860's boom town and still sports over 60 restored structures including a working BAKERY that makes on hell of a good cinnamon roll. I have to say, this drive to Alaska is going to be one BEAUTIFUL drive with some of the most spectacular mountain views we have ever seen, one this is only day TWO... Last night we camped at the Lake Louise campground and went to bed well before dark. We were beat... This morning we went down to the Lake Louise Resort and the took a 5km walk along the shores of Lake Louise. Having been here before we had enjoyed the emerald blue of the lake but this time it was frozen over with ice for a completely different look (I still like the em blue)... After having lunch at the resort we headed off to our next overnight stop...Jasper... The SNOW covered mountains between Lk. Lou and Jasper are nothing but AMAZING !!! Well that was a drive of 143 miles and it took us well over 4 hours to complete, and we were about the only vehicle on the road. The time took was all because of the scenery of those majestic mountains (and a bear, several deer, and the hope for caribou sightings.)  With Geno (Louise’s nephew) coming to our aide by being our “General Handyman Contractor/Painter”, we started repairing and pretty-ing up the rental. Now I must admit, I was TOTALLY surprised as to the mess our renters left us in, but as I’ve recently found out, maybe a messy divorce is or was the reason and we got caught in the middle. Whatever it was, we’ve got Geno on the job… Now we’ve got one more item we’ve got to face…OUR 50th !!!   We decided that what we wanted to do was to gather the family together, grab the Hydrofoil to Victoria, BC. for 3 days of FEASTING, FUN and ADVENTURE !!!  After arriving Friday, all of us jumped onto one of those “tiny water taxis” and enjoyed a wonderful dinner celebrating our anniversary at a great restaurant alongside the bay in Victoria. Then early the next morning we all boarded a van and headed up to Soot, BC. for an afternoon of “ZIP-LINING”. Our 7 grandkids (hell, they’re not kids anymore 14-21) were the first to get all suited up and head for the practice run and then it was the BIG KIDS turn.  Daughters .. Joelle, Leslee, Louise, and Mikleane What I quickly found out, is that I’m not great at taking pictures while someone is flying by at tree top levels hanging by a small line, but I still tried. What was impossible was taking a picture while I was on the line. Fortunately there was a camera set up for a quick flyby and that’s how I got my picture taken while doing some acrobatics…
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